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Topic Review (Newest First)

08-10-2010 10:07 AM

adantessr

Quote:

Originally Posted by k-star

The best way for a newbe to be sure that the engine is at tdc,,,,,Remove the valve cover, turn the engine over and watch the intake valve open then close. continue until you reach the tdc mark on the balancer. Install your distributor at the #1 location and then turn it about 3/4" counter clock wise....

Fire the engine and set the timing with a light..

Keith

Right on . Without doing it this way you could be at the top of #1 exhaust stroke and #6 compression stroke . 360 degrees (one full revolution) on the crank from where you want to be .

08-10-2010 08:38 AM

2003600F4I

thanks much

Yeah that is what I thought after all the reading on the distro install--you rotate the crank one turn so that both marks are at 12 o'clock position and that is TDC for #1 firing. As for the install on the distro I have the rotor pointing approx. at 6:30 position and aligned with caps #1 plug. Hope this will get it going later today. I'll keep ya posted.

08-10-2010 08:07 AM

cobalt327

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2003600F4I

Can someone tell me the correct way to install the Distro please. I installed a new gear drive and have both timing marks aligned (Crank at 12 and cam at 6 ) and I have always thought this was #1 TDC. Now I am confused as I am reading that this is #6 TDC and I need to rotate the crank once to bring both marks to 12 position and this is #1 TDC. Can one of you straighten me out on this please. Also when we do install the distro the rotor should roughly be pointing between 6 and 7 oclock position which is at the #1 plug wire right? Some people are saying to point it at the #1 piston and I have never heard of this. Any help on this is much appreciated as I am now frustrated and confused with all the different opinions on the install.

At least with a gear and chain timing set, with the dots as close as they can get (cam @ 6 o'clock, crank @ 12), #6 is TDC firing. So, turning the crank 360 will bring #1 to TDC firing (cam @ 12 o'clock, crank also @ 12). If a gear drive is the same, I do not know- I do not use gear drives timing sets.

As you install the distributor, the angle of the gears causes the dist. shaft to rotate CW, so you want to start off installing the dist. w/the rotor CCW of where you want it to end up.

There may be a misalignment of the dist. shaft and the oil pump drive that will prevent the dist. from fully dropping in, until the oil pump shaft is rotated w/a long screwdriver to get the correct alignment.

08-10-2010 07:48 AM

2003600F4I

Another dizzy install question

Can someone tell me the correct way to install the Distro please. I installed a new gear drive and have both timing marks aligned (Crank at 12 and cam at 6 ) and I have always thought this was #1 TDC. Now I am confused as I am reading that this is #6 TDC and I need to rotate the crank once to bring both marks to 12 position and this is #1 TDC. Can one of you straighten me out on this please. Also when we do install the distro the rotor should roughly be pointing between 6 and 7 oclock position which is at the #1 plug wire right? Some people are saying to point it at the #1 piston and I have never heard of this. Any help on this is much appreciated as I am now frustrated and confused with all the different opinions on the install.

07-18-2010 06:32 AM

topwrench

I think doc has the best reply,and he did say "advance defeated and vacumm lune plugged" also right in pointing him toward cam timing issues providing dizzy is timed and wired to f.o.
If this was a blown engine it would have been a terrible , terrible and expensive mess.

07-18-2010 02:23 AM

cobalt327

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbctim

keep it from spinning into an unexploded IUD.

That's what SHE said!

BTW, docvette got it right. YEARS ago, when this thread was new.

07-18-2010 01:19 AM

sbctim

sbctim

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66SSNOVA

i just broke a starter from a backfire and would like to know if anyone can help. i turned the motor until the #1 piston was at tdc with both intake and exhaust valves closed and pointed the rotor at #1 plug wire. when i tried to crank it over it backfired and there went the starter.

Ok , that is a very rare occurance. So far , I have a bit of an idea as to what happened. TIMING.
Initial static timing before the first turn of the key.
On the clock ,looking at it. 18437572 firing order. You should be starting the first turnover only after you have installed the distributor with the cam at TDC.on #1 cyl.With the distributor body all the way down and into the oil pump drive.Dont forget to prime the fluids as much as you can. The proper timiing even set with a timing light will help you start on the first turn of the key . TDC should allow you at least a startup if you think carefully about it ,its just basic physics.
Air, fuel, compression,oil, spark, and coolant (water)to keep it from spinning into an unexploded IUD.
the 5:30 short cut works well

05-24-2006 08:07 AM

Frisco

Quote:

Originally Posted by docvette

Total around 34 to 36 is usual on a stocker with advance hooked back up..

Hello Doc. I believe you mis-spoke here. The vacuum advance should be dis-connected and plugged when checking / setting the Total Mechanical Advance. Yes the 34-36 degree is a good range to shoot for; but if the vacuum advance was connected when checking for Total the numbers would be much higher. In the 50 degree+ range for a stock (non-computer) GM HEI using full vacuum source and checking under No Load.

The vacuum advance is not re-connected until after setting / checking the timing.

Drop the dizzy in, and watch the rotor, It will advance clockwise a bit, this is because the gear teeth are diagonal cut, It will go about a tower in a half in some cases..Note #1 and the amount of change with a pen on the bottom of the Dizzy, and then withdraw It.

Line the oil pump shaft up to that location with a large screw driver, and reset the dizzy, for number one plug tower, allowing for advancing Difference as the gears seat..

The easy way to do this is make magic marker lines on the base of the dizzy, for exact #1 plug tower, and the difference of rotor movement as it seats..due to the cut of the gears..(I.E...#1 and the amount of distance BACK required to make it sit on #1 plug tower when bottomed out..)

#1 plug tower in the stock location for SBC's is 5 to 7 O'clock, (depends on year, and obstructions) 7 is usually good.

Direction of rotation is clockwise.

The F.O. is 1 8 4 3 6 5 7 2..

Put on your hold down just tight enough to hold it but enough to forcibly move it by hand, and start it up..set your static and total timing..Start and warm, at idle, about 650 RPMs manual, 950 RPMs Automatic , full open choke.

Hook up a timing light..

Static 10 to 12 is a good starting point advance defeated and vacuum line plugged.

Total around 34 to 36 is usual on a stocker with advance hooked back up..

Tighten down the hold down, set your idle for 650 Manual trans, 950 Automatic, and drive it .. hammer it on the freeway, If it pings or runs hotter than usual, retard it a few degrees..If it dogs, advance it..Try also lugging it up a steep hill highest gear as slow as it will pull, If it pings check the timing again.

That's it.

Doc

05-23-2006 02:37 PM

k-star

Timing

The best way for a newbe to be sure that the engine is at tdc,,,,,Remove the valve cover, turn the engine over and watch the intake valve open then close. continue until you reach the tdc mark on the balancer. Install your distributor at the #1 location and then turn it about 3/4" counter clock wise....

Fire the engine and set the timing with a light..

Keith

05-23-2006 02:00 PM

66SSNOVA

sbc distributor install

i just broke a starter from a backfire and would like to know if anyone can help. i turned the motor until the #1 piston was at tdc with both intake and exhaust valves closed and pointed the rotor at #1 plug wire. when i tried to crank it over it backfired and there went the starter.